Unitary self-adjusting handle



P 1952 A. J. HAYDEN 2,610,885

UNITARY SELF-ADJUSTING HANDLE Filed April 20, 1948 FIG. 1. 9

- IN! 'EN TOR. ALFRED J. HAYDEN,

BY W W 6mm; 17mm ATTORNEYS,

- UNITARY sELF- mps'rmdgiapnpn Alfred 3'. Hayden, rangellFla.

appl c ionsw mmer.swamp- 2ama l This invention relates to a unitary-self adjusting handle terminating forwardly in a-hook adapted to engage upon the inner edge of a can .andinterrnediately having 'a projecting abutment portion adapted to abut the side of the can. The main obiectof my invention is to provide a unitary self-adjusting handle member as indicated which is adapted to be used to pry the lid off the can and thereafter serves to carry the can by attaching the same to the upper inner edge thereof and allowing the abutment portion to engage against the exterior of one side of the can.

Another object of the invention is to make a sheet metal unitary handle of this type which is so simple in form and low in cost that its advantages are readily distributed to the public due to the low cost.

It is even an object to have a handle of this character which is adapted to fit several sizes of cans by which to carry the latter, especially when the contents thereof are of such nature as readily to soil the hands in case they were directly handled without the present handle.

Aside from the foregoing objects, it is likewise an object to have a handle for lifting and carrying about small paint cans and the like and also supporting a brush upon the top thereof in a position to dispose the bristles of the brush over the open end of the can.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in greater detail as the specification proceeds.

In order to disclose the features of the invention comprehensively, the latter are illustrated on the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, and in which:

Figure l is a plan view of a unitary self-adjusting handle embodying the invention in a practical form;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same handle;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on line 33 in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the handle when in operative position upon a can for lifting the same.

In the four views, the same reference numerals indicate the same parts.

It is all too frequently the experience of those who attempt to do a little painting that they immediately get the hands soiled when attempting to open a paint can and thereafter stir the paint and begin to dip a brush therein in order to apply the paint to whatever work piece they intend to paint. Both the operation of opening '2 Claims. (01. 294-721) the 11a of the can and thereafter han'ling it involve hazards such as possibly spilling someo'f the paint on the persons dress handling this canfor-at le'ast getting the hands soiled-and otherwise having a disadvantageous experience with the can. It 'is now, therefore} proposed to introduce a very simple unitary holder or handle for the can which is not only useful for handling it, but initially is equally useful for prying the lid ofi the can to introduce the user to its advantages, as will now be specifically set forth.

Hence, in the practice of my invention, and referring again to the accompanying drawing, a holder or handle of the character outlined, generally indicated at 5, primarily includes a channel-shaped handle portion 6 having an elongated rear aperture 1 therein by which it is readily suspended on a book when not in use, while the rear side lips 6, 8 serve well for prying open the lid of a paint can, especially of the type that have an upper rim pressed into the same. At the other end of the handle is a widened flattened portion 9 which is bent downwardly to form an arcuate hook l0 adapted to engage beneath and within the pressed-in rim H of a can [2, while an intermediate portion of the handle is punched down through the same and bent forward to form an inclined, but virtually straight, abutment member H! which is adapted at the lower end l4 thereof to abut the side I5 of can 12 when the hook I!) engages the rim H of said can. The punching through of member l3 leaves an elongated opening or aperture it in the handle and thereby avoids adding any additional member to the handle to provide the abutment member. The handle is, therefore, as a result, as light as possible in construction.

It is evident that when the hook it is placed over the rim and allowed to engage beneath the same and the end M of abutment member l3 engages against the side of cam l2, lifting the handle automatically lifts the can. It is also evident that in the position shown in Figure 4, it is readily possible to lay a brush in the channel portion or handle 6 with the bristles of the brush directed over the opening H in can l2 so that extreme cleanliness may readily be observed by the use of the handle 5.

Another feature of this unitary handle is that it is virtually automatic in fitting several sizes of cans from about a quarter pint size to a full quart size, inclusive, so long as each can has a pressed-in-rim, and abutment member l3 may be slightly bent one way or the other to fit.

Preferably, the present handle is made of sheet metal, such as steel or the like. and may have any finish desired, and it is obviously simple in form and therefore cheap to manufacture.

In order to release the handle. it is a simple procedure to swing the outer end upwardly and thus release the hook in from rim H of the can when it will come free and may be suspended by aperture I upon a hook or nail until required again.

Obviously, the handle may be made ofdifierent sizes so that not only the range of cans mentioned may be handled thereby, but larger sizes may also be used, and I am, therefore, not limited to any particular size of handle nor range of sizes of cans that may be handled by means or this invention.

Manitestly, variations may .be resorted and parts and features may be modified or used without others within the scope of the appended.

claims. Having now fully described my invention, I

claim: v- 1. In a sheet material can handle, an elongated handle portion terminating at one end in a lateral .return bent hook, a portion of said handle por- ;tion intermediate its ends being cut out to provide 4 an abutment portion, said abutment portion projecting at an acute angle from the plane of the handle portion at the same side of the handle portion as said hook and toward said hook.

2. In a sheet material can handle, an elongated handle portion terminating at one end in a lateral return bent hook, a part of said handle portion intermediate its ends being cut out to define a slot and an abutment portion, said abutment portion being'directed at-an angle from the plane of said handle portion'towardand at the same side of the handle portion as said hook'from the end of said slot adjacent to said hook.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are'oi record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Ferrara Nov. 11, 1941 

